Prerak Mankad

Prerak Mankad is a versatile right-handed batting all-rounder who has been a valuable part of Saurashtra's domestic setup for several years. Born in Sirohi, he bats in the middle order and bowls right-arm medium pace, giving his side an option who can contribute in both departments. He made his T20 debut for Saurashtra in the 2015-16 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before making his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai in February 2016. Coming in at No. 9, he made an immediate impression with a 66-run knock on debut, sharing an 84-run partnership with Arpit Vasavada after Saurashtra had been reduced to 108/7.

Mankad's List A debut followed in the 2016-17 Vijay Hazare Trophy, and he gradually established himself as a regular across formats. His breakthrough in white-ball cricket came during the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, when he emerged as Saurashtra's leading run-scorer with 212 runs in six matches. He continued to develop as a useful all-round option, capable of providing aggressive middle-order runs while contributing valuable overs of medium pace.

He was part of Saurashtra's historic 2019-20 Ranji Trophy-winning campaign, their maiden title, scoring 445 runs in 11 games and remaining an important member of the side as they continued to compete strongly in domestic cricket. His batting can shift gears quickly when required, something he demonstrated spectacularly in the 2022 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semi-final, smashing 66 from just 25 balls against Baroda. The innings showcased his ability to turn a game around in the space of a few overs and helped bring him onto the radar of IPL franchises.

That opportunity arrived when Punjab Kings bought him at the 2022 IPL auction. Mankad made his IPL debut against Sunrisers Hyderabad that season, although he featured only once. Lucknow Super Giants then acquired him for the 2023 season, where he was given a considerably greater opportunity. His standout IPL performance came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, when he struck an unbeaten 64 from 45 balls, combining clean hitting with composure to help Lucknow chase down their target. He was also integral for Saurashtra in doing the domestic double, scoring 337 runs in 10 games in the Ranji Trophy 2022/23 and 182 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

He remained productive during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 381 runs in seven matches at an average of 47.62, including a season-best 155. He also continued to contribute with the ball when required, maintaining the all-rounder tag that has been central to his career. He was also key in Saurashtra getting to the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, racking up 449 runs in 10 games. He was later named in the Saurashtra squad for the Ranji Trophy 2026/27.